The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Chris Barnes coming to BlackEyed Sally’s
Chris “Bad News” Barnes is at BlackEyed Sally's on Saturday. He is known as The King of Hokum Blues. The first time Blues Beat saw Barnes, I was left with this impression: Kinda loud, kinda brash, and over the top entertaining. It has just gotten better. He goes back to the bluesbased pioneer days and has mastered the musical hocuspocus with his own style and flair.
Barnes’ second album, Hokum Blues reached No# 1 on the Roots Music Report, #1 on Air Play Direct and landed at # 6 for the Big City Rhythm & Blues Magazine’s top 12 Albums for 2017, sitting above many of the big names in the industry. Barnes plays with a variety of musicians from Nationals to Connecticut locals. From area parties to the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise he plays to rave reviews. His powerful high energy stage craft gets the audience involved.
Joining Barnes is Clarence Spady, a long time blues veteran who plays with a depth and sensitivity that can't be taught. Spady combines blues, jazz, funk, latin and rock into his own unique style. His moving guitar play, rough streetedged vocals, songwriting and live improvisations are demonstrated with every performance.
Bridge Street Live welcomes hard rocking bluesman, Popa Chubby, to the stage on Friday. Born Ted Horowitz, he has been hard rocking the blues in his fierce and soulful way for more than 25 years. Over the course of a career that dates back to 1994, he has been a force of to be reckoned with on the guitar, and his tempestuous, soulful playing has never been more powerful. An imposing figure with a shaven head, tattooed arms, a goatee and a performance style he describes as “the Stooges meets Buddy Guy, Motörhead meets Muddy Waters, and Jimi Hendrix meets Robert Johnson.” He can hit you hard or play a slow number to grab your soul. Popa Chubby is an endearing character who is one of the genre’s most popular figures.
Connecticut Blues Society Solo/Duo Challenge 2 is Sunday at The Pine Loft. This is the second round of choosing acts for the finals, with the winner going to Memphis. Acts taking part include: The Skipping Stones; Davey Blues; Hudson & the IRS; Billy Sunday; Jerry Craft; and Nate Fletcher.
John D'Amato is making a swing through the state. BlackEyed Sally's has John D’Amato Blues Band Friday, and he’ll be at Café 9 on Sunday at 4 p.m.
D’Amato entered the blue scene in 2010, and his guitar prowess and soulful vocals have landed him on stage with many notable musicians. The essence of his live performances keep the audience aware of his prowess.
Infinity Music Hall Norfolk has a Friday show — Stanley Jordan plays Jimi Hendrix. A worldrenowned guitarist, Jordan has developed a new live tribute show. It’s not pure imitation; instead, he builds on the Hendrix legacy in a creative and original way. As Jordan explains it, “This is my fantasy Jimi Hendrix concert if Jimi were still playing today. By reimagining his music and channeling his persona I try to bring that fantasy to life.” FTC Stage One brings Jordan in on Saturday.
Friday, Hudson River Cruises, Inc have a Slam Allen Cruise at 7 p.m. in Kingston, New York. He is an entertainment master. Playing singing and getting the audience involved.
The blues is making stops at a variety of places. Saturday, Blues on the Rocks has a 2:30 pm show at the Essex Village Gazebo. It is Scarecrow Festival hosted by the Essex Board of Trade and Essex Park and Recreation Department. Also on Saturday, Eran Troy Danner plays the Sunset Grille Clam Bake at 1 pm. Carl Ricci & 706 Union Ave are at the New England Motorcycle Museum, Saturday.
Saturday, Jeff Pitchell And Texas Flood are at Sonny's Place Fund Raiser for Rebecca. She is one of Sonny Place’s own and is fighting against Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Sunday, The Turning Point has its Columbus Day Weekend PAL Music Festival. Joining the festivities are: Old Number Seven Band; Back to the Garden 1969 ( A Celebration of the 50th Woodstock Music Festival); Jeb Jones; and Prof. Louie and the Crowmatix.
Black Bear Americana Music Fest 2019 takes place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in Goshen. It is a fanfavorite, back porch blues, southern cajun, deep woods bluegrass, folk, and stompin' rockabilly event. Three days of music with 35 bands and 4 stages.
Saturday, the Low Maintenance tour on the shoreline continues at Country Tavern Café.
Sunday, The Acoustic Café is holding a 20 Year Anniversary Party.
Horn from the Heart: The Paul Butterfield Story was released in September on various digital streaming services and on DVDs/ Blurays. For more information go to: https:// www.face
book.com/1310317922371/